The following information is presented for educational purposes only. Higher Society of Indiana Inc. provides this information to provide an understanding of the potential applications of cannabidiol. Links to third party websites do not constitute an endorsement of these organizations by Higher Society of Indiana Inc. and none should be inferred.

ALS is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disease that eventually causes the death of neurons that control voluntary muscles. Studies have shown cannabis effectively slows the progression of the disease and helps patients manage the disease’s associated symptoms.

Overview of ALS

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, most commonly referred to as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects the nerve cells in the brain, spinal cord, and motor cortex that are responsible for controlling voluntary muscles. The disease prevents the brain neurons from getting nourishment and thus eventually causes their demise. In turn, the brain is unable to initiate and control muscles, and voluntary movement is lost. Those who suffer from ALS can lose the capability to move, eat, speak and even breathe.

The cause of ALS continues to be unknown. There are two types of the disease– sporadic and familial. According to The ALS Association, sporadic ALS accounts for 90 to 95% of ALS cases in the United States. Familial ALS, which is inherited, accounts for 5 to 10% of ALS cases in the U.S. The ALS Association reports that ALS most commonly affects people between the ages of 40 and 70 years. The disease is 20% more likely to develop in men than in women.

There is no cure for ALS and, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, most who develop the disease die from respiratory failure within three to five years from the onset of symptoms. Because there’s no cure, the treatment for those with ALS is to slow the damage to motor neurons with the help of the medication riluzole. Riluzole, however, does not reverse neuron damage already done and prolongs survival for only several months.

Physicians will also commonly prescribe medications to help combat fatigue, ease muscle cramps, minimize muscle spasms and reduce excess saliva and phlegm. Physicians may also prescribe medications to help with depression, sleep problems, pain and constipation.

Findings: Effects of Cannabis on ALS

Cannabis has long been determined to be beneficial in slowing ALS’s progression and offering relief from its associated symptoms. Preclinical studies indicate that cannabinoids found in cannabis, including the psychoactive tetrahydrocannabidiol (THC), have antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. Numerous animal trials have demonstrated that the administration of cannabinoids in cannabis can delay the onset of ALS, prolong the survival of neurons and slow the disease’s progression3,4,5.

Cannabinol (CBD), another cannabinoid found in cannabis, but one that doesn’t have psychoactive effects, has also been found to significantly slow the onset of ALS6.

Cannabis can also help ALS patients manage the pain, appetite loss, depression, sleeping problems, spasticity and drooling symptoms associated with the disease1,4. Cannabis combats ALS-associated pain because of its analgesia and anti-inflammatory effects, and manages spasticity with its muscle-relaxing properties. Because of its appetite stimulating effects, it helps prevent the wasting that can occur in the final stages of ALS4.

States That Have Approved Medical Marijuana for ALS

Out of the 28 states that have adopted medical marijuana legislation, 18 have approved cannabis for treating ALS.

These states include: Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Several other states will allow medical marijuana to be used for the treatment of ALS, but require an approval or a recommendation by a physician. These states include: California (any debilitating illness where the medical use of marijuana has been recommended by a physician), Nevada (other conditions subject to approval), Oregon (other conditions subject to approval), Rhode Island (other conditions subject to approval), and Washington (any “terminal or debilitating condition”).

In Washington D.C., any condition can be approved for medical marijuana as long as a DC-licensed physician recommends the treatment.

Recent Studies on Cannabis’ Effect on ALS

Cannabis found to prolong neuron cell survival, delay the onset of ALS and slow the progression of the disease. Cannabis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: hypothetical and practical applications, and a call for clinical trials.
(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20439484)

Marijuana was moderately effective at reducing symptoms of pain, appetite loss, depression and drooling symptoms associated with the disease.Survey of cannabis use in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15055508)

What is ALS? (n.d.). ALS Association. Retrieved from http://www.alsa.org/about-als/what-is-als.html.

This article may contain certain forward-looking statements and information, as defined within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is subject to the Safe Harbor created by those sections. This material contains statements about expected future events and/or financial results that are forward-looking in nature and subject to risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements by definition involve risks, uncertainties.

Related Posts

Public Information

Public News & Education Notice

The articles contained in Indycann.org are automatically fed from numerous public websites throughout the internet. These articles are generated, from relevant sources, that have met the keyword criteria, our team submits to this automated system and is automatically republished on Indycann.org's news & education pages.

Indycann, LLC. makes no claims to authorship of said materials, and respects the original sources for supplying public information to the general public. Claims of infringements are not supported in that the materials are public and available on the internet. Indycann.org does not support any third party links or products and does not warranty as such. It is the intent of our organization to provide accurate and relevant source materials to educate individuals, groups, and government agencies the importance knowledge.

Please search at your own risk and always validate any materials deemed fit to publish. Thank you for your continued support.

Bobby Jo Young Founder - CEO of Indycann, LLC.

A MUST READ ARTICLE

Get Social

Currently lobbying for full legalization of Cannabis in Indiana. Spreading awareness to all Hoosiers of the benefits of cannabis legalization.